Man Who Drowned In Chattahoochee Was Cumming Pastor's Son

SUWANEE, GA — The young man who drowned last week while swimming in the Chattahoochee River has been identified as the son of a Forysth County pastor.

Gwinnett County officials say Joshua Katikala, 20, of Cumming, had been swimming with friends last Wednesday, jumping off of the old Settles Bridge structure near Suwanee. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Katikala's identity on Wednesday.

According to friends, at about 5:27 p.m. he appeared to be in distress when he surfaced after a jump.

Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said a friend of Katikala's jumped in to try to save him, while another called 911. The friend in the water made contact with him about 100 yards downstream from the bridge, but Katikala was combative and the friend was unable to rescue him, Rutledge said.

Rescue crews arrived and, at 6:18 p.m., Katikala was found two feet beneath the water's surface, caught by tree debris in the river. He was carried to an ambulance and rescuers performed CPR and advanced life support measures, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

It is illegal to climb on the old Settles Bridge, which is listed as a historic structure. But the area of the Chattahoochee River surrounding it has been the site of several drowning and near-drowning incidents.

Last month, an 18 year old drowned after jumping off of the bridge. In May of last year, a 15 year old was rescued by civilian kayakers after being swept downstream while swimming near Settles Bridge.

Authorities say the law requires swimmers in that area to wear life jackets. None of the victims in any of the above cases were doing so.

Katikala is the son of the Rev. Sanjeev Katikala and his wife, Sabina. Sanjeev Katikala is a pastor at Lifeline Church in Cumming. The younger Katikala was a worship team leader at the church, according to his obituary.

"He was the strength and inspiration behind many in the Church, including children, youth and adults alike," the obituary reads.

According to the church's Facebook page, funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Visitation will be held Friday, starting at 4 p.m., at McDonald and Son Funeral Home in Cumming.

Photo via Lifeline Church, Cumming, GA, USA Facebook page